Albert Nobbs (2011)

Genre: Drama

Directed by: Rodrigo Garcia

Starring: Glenn Close, Mia Wasikowska, Janet McTeer

Running time: 113 minutes

Albert Nobbs is a woman living her live as a man in Ireland, in the 1800’s. Carrying that big lie with her for decades, she is now working as a waiter in a hotel. Albert is saving all her money to buy a tobacco shop, so she can finally have the freedom she seeks. One day, she meets Hubert, a painter hired to paint the hotel. Hubert finds out the truth about Albert, but will not let the cat out of the bag since she’s a woman living as a man herself.

Glenn Close is absolutely fantastic in the title role. She really looks the part as a person walking around with a huge secret, always afraid of being found out. That scene where she runs on the beach, in a dress, finally looking free, was really touching, and a great transformation job, even for an instant, by the actress.

On the other hand, the idea that these people could really believe that Janet McTeer’s character is indeed a man really took me out of it at the beginning. There is no way she could have been perceived as a man. Albert Nobbs, sure; Hubert Page, not so much.

Overall, Albert Nobbs is a very good movie due in a big part to the acting job done by Glenn Close. I also found the story compelling, though there were a few off moments for me. There was the Janet McTeer situation mentioned earlier, and the story itself dragged in a few spots. Still, this film is worth watching.

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